Tackless display holder



July 26, 1938. T. R. THOMAS TACKLESS DISPLAY HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1957 July 26, 1938. T. R. THOMAS TACKLESS DISPLAY HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1937' Patented July 26, 1938 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a tackless display holder.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of such class, in amanner as hereinafter set forth for distinctly displaying advertising and other matter without use of tacks or paste and including spring controlled hinged means bearing against the outer face of the matter displayed for clamping it stationary within the holder.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to so constructed and. arranged to enable for expeditiously securing therein and removal therefrom of matter to be displayed.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a holder of the class referred to including a backing member against which the matter to be displayed is to be placed and a set of hinged spring controlled elements for clamping such matter stationary against said member in displayed position.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a tackless display holder for use in newsstands, stores, hotels, rail.-

road stations, passenger carrying vehicles or in any other connection having need of an advertising display, or a bulletin or announcement board.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafterrset forth a tackless display holder which is simple in its construction and arrangement, neat, compact, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient in its use, of a form capable of being readily suspended or mounted upon a support, conveniently adjusted for inserting and removing therefrom matter to be displayed, latching the displayed matter in set position, pleasing in appearance, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein embodiments of the invention are shown, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1' isa front elevation of the holder containing displayed matter,

Figure 2 is an end elevation,

Figure 3 is a side elevation,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure l,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, broken away in top plan illustrating a clamping element in extended position and latched in such position,

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a section on line of Figure 5, and

Figure 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a modified form of holder.

The holder may be built in various shapes and sizes, and by Way of example it is shown as of rectangular contour and of a size to hold three objects for display. The holder includes a backing member and a plurality of clamping elements hinged and disposed on the front face of such member. The number of the clamping elements will depend upon the shape of the backing member. The latter and said elements may be formed from any suitable material. Preferably said member and said elements will be of the same material, but'said member may be constructed from a material different from that of which the clamping elements are formed. The holder may or may not include a transparent protecting element for the displayed matter and it is shown with and without the protector.

With reference to Figures 1 to '7 of the drawings, the holder, generally indicated at It) includes a flat backing member ll provided in its front face with spaced mortises l2 which open at the edges of the member II. The latter has anchored therein in proximity to its edges spaced combined positioning and retaining elements 13 which project from said face and are of pin-like form.

There is associated with the member II a set of clamping elements 14 corresponding in number to the number of edges of member H. The elements M are of like construction and coact to form a sectional frame arranged on the front face and flush with the edges of member ll. Each element I4 is in the form of a strip of moulding l5 and has its ends mitered. The strips have their inner faces formed with mortises l6 which open at the outer lengthwise edges thereof. The mortises l6 correspond in number to the number of mortises I2. When the elements [4 are shifted to inactive position, the open ends of the mortises I 6 align with the open ends of the mortises l2. When the elements M are in active position, the mortises l6 are disposed in superposed relation with respect to the mortises l2. The inner face of each strip I5 is formed with a row of spaced sockets I! for a purpose to be referred to and it is also provided with a recess I 8 constituting a clearance, the purpose of which will also be referred to.

Each mortise I2 coacts with a mortise I6 for receiving the leaves of a spring controlled hinge I9. The leaves of the latter are indicated at 20, 2|, its pintle at 22 and its controlling spring at 23. The leaves 20 of the hinges I9 are mounted in the mortises I6 and are anchored to the strips I5 by the holdfast means 24. The leaves 2| of the hinges I9 are mounted in the mortises I2 and anchored to the member II by the holdfast means 25.

Pivotally connected, as at 26 to the front face of member II, adjacent each of the latter is a latching element 21 for a purpose to be referred to.

With reference to Figure l, matter displayed by the holder is indicated at 28 and is clamped stationary to the backing member II.

The elements I3 are for the purpose of extending through the matter 28 arranged on the front face. of member I I. When extended through the matter 28 the latter is arranged in the desired position. The elements I3 further act to prevent the shifting of the matter 28 on member I I before the elements I4 are disposed in clamping position. When elements I4 are arranged in clamping position the protruding ends of the elements I3 extend into the sockets II.

When the elements I4 are extended from clamping position and disposed in alignment with the edges of the member I I they are held in such position by the latching elements 21 which are shifted to the full line position, Figure 5, to overlapthe inner faces of the strips I5. The elements I 4 are held extended during the positioning of the matter 28 on and the removal of such matter from the front face of member II. After the matter 28 has been arranged on. member I I, the elements l4 are released and the strips I5 automatically move toclamping position. The strips I5 are successively released and the release is had by moving the elements 21 from full line position to dotted line position, Figure 5. When elements I4 are active the recesses I8 provide clearances for the elements 21.-

With referenc to Figure 8 a modified form of holder 29is shown and which is of the same construction as the holder II) with the following exceptions. The clamping elements 30 of holder 29 have the inner marginal portions of their inner faces rabbeted as at 3i for overlapping and maintaining a transparent element 32 in protective relation with respect to the displayed matter in-. dicated at 33. Otherwise then as stated the holder 29 will be the same as the holder I B.

What I claim is:

1. In a tackless display holder, a backing member for display matter, spring controlled means hinged at the outer side thereof to said member to align with the edges of and for clamping the displayed matter on said member, combined positioning and holding elements carried by said member for the displayed matter, and said clamping means being formed with sockets 0pening at the inner face thereof for receiving said elements when said means is. active.

2. In a tackless display holder, a backing mem ber for display matter, spring controlled means hinged at the outer side thereof to said member to align with the edges of and for clamping the displayed matter on said member, shiftable means carried by said member and engageable with said spring controlled means for latching the latter in inactive position, and said clamping means provided on the inner face thereof with clearances for said latching means when the clamping means is active and when the latching means is inactive.

3. In a tackless display holder, a, backing member for displayed matter, a set of clamping elements for clamping the displayed matter on said member, spring controlled hinges hinging the outer sides of said elements to and for aligning with the edges of said member, shiftable latch-elements pivotally connected to and arranged on the front face of said member for latching the clamping element in inactive position, combined positioning and holding elements carried by and extended from the front face of said member for the displayed matter, and said clamping elements having their inner faces provided With clearances for the latching elements and sockets for receiving the combined holding and positioning elements when said clamping elements are active.

4. In a display holder, va backing member adapted to have arranged against its. front face matter to be displayed, .a set of clamping elements for the displayed matter, said elements being formed in their inner faces with mortises opening at the outer side edges thereoflsaid member having its front face formed with mortises opening at the edges thereof and each coacting with a mortise of a clamping element, a spring controlled hinge secured in each pair of coacting mortises, latching members pivotally connected to said member in proximity to theedges of the latter and shiftable on the upper face of said member to extend across its edges to releasably said clearances opening at the outer side edge of T said elements.

5. In a display holder, a backing member adapted to have arranged against'its front face matter to be displayed, a set ofclamping elements for the displayed matter, said elements being formed in their inner faces with mortises opening at the outer side edges thereof, said member having its front face formed with mortises opening at the edges thereof and each coacting with a mortise of a clamping element, a spring controlled hinge secured in each pair of coacting mortises, latching members pivotally connected to said member in proximity to the edges of the latter and shiftable on the upper face of said member to extend across its edges to releasably maintain said elements in inactive position, said clamping elements having the inner faces thereof formed with clearances for said latching members when said clamping elements are active, said clearances opening at the outer side edges of said elements, pointed combined positioning and holding elements anchored in and extending from the front face of said member for the matter to be arranged against the front face of the latter, and said-clamping elements having the inner faces thereof provided with sockets for receiving the positioning and holding elements when the clamping elements are in active position.

6. In a display holder, a backing In ember adapted to have arranged against its front face matter to be displayed, a set of clamping elements ing its front face formed with mortises opening at the edges thereof and each coacting with a mortise of a clamping element, a spring controlled hinge secured in each pair of coacting mortises, latching members pivotally connected to said member in proximity to the edges of the latter and shiftable on the upper face of said member to extend across its edges to releasably maintain said elements in inactive position, said clamping elements having the inner faces thereof formed with clearances for said latching members when said clamping elements are active, said clearances opening at the outer side edge of said elements, and said clamping elements having their inner faces provided with means opening at the inner sides thereof for receiving and clamping a transparent element across the outer face of the displayed matter.

7, In a display holder, a backing member adapted to have arranged against its front face matter to be displayed, a set of clamping elements for the displayed matter, said elements being formed in their inner faces with mortises opening at the outer side edges thereof, said mem: her having its front face formed with mortises opening at the edges thereof and each coacting with a mortise of a clamping element, a spring controlled hinge secured in each pair of coacting mortises, latching members pivotally connected to said member in proximity to the edges of the latter and shiftable on the upper face of said member to extend across its edges to releasably maintain said elements in inactive position, said clamping elements having the inner faces thereof formed with clearances for said latching members when said clamping elements are active, said clearances opening at the outer side edge of said elements, pointed combined positioning and holding elements anchored in and extending from the front face of said member for the matter to be arranged against the front face of the latter, said clamping elements having the inner faces thereof provided with sockets for receiving the positioning and holding elements when the clamping elements are in active position, and said clamping elements having their inner faces provided with means opening at the inner sides thereof for receiving and clamping a transparent element across the outer face of the displayed matter.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 having the said clamping means formed on its inner face and opening at the inner side thereof with means for receiving and clamping a transparent element across the outer face of the displayed matter.

9. In a display holder, a backing member for display matter, spring controlled means hinged to and for clamping the displayed matter on said member, shiftable means carried by said member and engageable with said spring controlled means for latching the latter in inactive position, and combined positioning and holding elements carried by said member for the displayed matter, the said spring controlled clamping means being formed on its inner face and opening at its inner side thereof with means for receiving and clamping a transparent element across the outer face of the displayed matter.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT THOMAS. 

